SIA training courses FAQs

SIA Security Guard and Door Supervisor licences last for 3 years. As you approach the three-year deadline you need to decide if you wish to renew your licence. If you do decide to renew your SIA licence, you will have to undertake a “refresher course” with an approved SIA training provider. The cost to reregister with the SIA is £184.00.  

The total cost will be the cost of the refresher course plus the SIA registration fee minus tax relief from HMRC. 

If delegates do not attend GSTNI’s First Aid training class held on the first day, you will need to provide a copy of your First Aid certificate (valid for one year) at the time of booking. The original First Aid certificate must be produced for inspection on the first day of your course. Delegates will also have to complete an initial assessment and medical forms and return them to GSTNI prior to the course start date. 

Yes, you must prove your identity before attending a course. Please see the list under “What to Bring”. Please check the list carefully. Failure to provide the acceptable forms of identification may result in you being unable to attend the course exams and may result in you losing your full course fee. 

Full attendance at the course is mandatory to achieve a pass.

Delegates are assessed throughout the course on their contribution and by the following:

• First Aid training (if not already past)
• Pre course workbook
• Portfolio of evidence
• Practical demonstration / assessment
• Multiple-choice exam papers.

You will also have to complete mandatory e learning modules on Counter Terrorism, Suspicious Behaviour and Vulnerable People before you can apply for your SIA registration. 

Prior to the commencement of a training course, please identify any special requirements you may have, such as mobility, learning difficulties or medical conditions so that our staff can discuss with you the reasonable adjustments you require. We will work closely with our Awarding body to ensure you receive the best advice and support. 

To further assist you with your query please refer to the Security Industry Authority’s web site, Working in the Private Security Industry: A Guide for disabled people (Sept 2018) available from, Working in the Private Security Industry: A Guide for Disabled People (publishing.service.gov.uk) 

It is very important you check your right to work in the UK before applying for a Security Industry Association (SIA) training course. 

The SIA state, that in most cases, you must have the right to work in the UK to get a front line or non-front-line licence. 

All UK citizens have the right to work in the UK. If you are not a UK citizen, the SIA will check your right to work status. 

You may not be able to get a licence if the SIA check shows: 

• your right to work in the UK has run out. 
• you are waiting to get the right to work in the UK. 

In these cases, the SIA will ask you to send them evidence of a valid right to work in the UK. If they do not get this evidence within 21 days, they will cancel your application and you may lose your application fee. 

If you are in any doubt on your “rights to work” please check the Security Industry Authority web site for the most up to date information.

The SIA state, an acceptable level of the English language is an official requirement to complete any of their approved courses. This includes English speaking, listening, reading, and writing. Not only is this important throughout the course for the completion of forms, reports, understanding of all modules and the many questions in the multiple-choice exams, but it is also required to work in the industry to communicate with the public, staff, and Emergency Services i.e. (verbal, non-verbal and written communication). 

If you attend our training course and it is identified that you do not have the acceptable required English skills it can result in you being refused attendance on the course (or remain on the course), including the loss of your full course fee. If you have any concerns about your English communication skills, please get in touch with us before you enrol.

The SIA state, that they will always obtain a criminal record check on anyone who applies for a licence. The SIA go on to state that having a criminal record, does not necessarily mean that you will not get a licence. However, any convictions, warnings, cautions, community resolutions, absolute/conditional discharges, admonishments, or charges awaiting trial for offences will be considered by them. If you are in any doubt, please check the SIA’s web site for more information. 

You can be exempt from attending a First Aid course prior to joining an SIA Security Guarding or Door Supervisor’s course but only if you have an existing valid (for one year) First-Aid qualification. To obtain the exemption you must produce a copy of your certificate at the time of booking and produce the original First Aid certificate on the first day of your SIA course so that GSTNI can check and copy it. Your certificate must comply with one of the following courses. 

• Level 3 First Aid at Work (FAW) 
• Level 3 First Person on Scene (FPOS) 
• Level 3 First Response Emergency Care (FREC) 

Further details can be found on the SIA web site Changes to the training you need for an SIA licence, available from,  https://www.gov.uk/government/news/changes-to-the-training-you-need-for-an-sia-licence

From 1^st October 2021 the SIA have introduced “top up training for some licenced holders”, just like some other training courses, including First Aid. Door Supervision and Security Guarding roles now require “refresher training” in certain modules, such as Physical Intervention, theory and practical, Counter Terrorism, Suspicious Behaviour, Vulnerable People, and First-Aid (if not already achieved or currently valid). Further details can be found on the SIA’s web site, Changes to the training you need for an SIA licence available from, https://www.gov.uk/government/news/changes-to-the-training-you-need-for-an-sia-licence 

The first day of the Security Guarding and Door Supervision course involves First-Aid training. The First Aid course includes practical training, giving CPR to a training manikin, which involves working on the floor and giving 30 chest compressions over a period of cycles. Physical activity is also required during the teaching of the Door Supervisor’s course which includes, searching person demonstrations, practical scenarios and demonstrating physical intervention techniques which involve safely escorting a person (with help from a colleague) up and downstairs.

Please get in touch if you have any queries regarding this. You may also want to consult with your doctor if you have any concerns. 

The Security Guarding and Door Supervision are level 2 courses, and the criteria has to be past. Gville Security Trainings’ staff have over 30 years’ experience working in the public and private Security sectors. Our staff are current trainers and SIA/PSA practitioners. “We have sat where you are going to sit”, we know and understand your concerns. We will endeavour to give you all the help, guidance, and support you need to obtain your SIA licence.  

To reconfirm our commitment to you we will promise that if in the unlikely event you were unsuccessful in an exam, we will offer you a FREE resit.